• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

ENERGY WORKING FOR BRITAIN FOR WORKING ENERGY Wylfa Newydd Project 6.1.1 ES Volume A - Introduction to the project and approach to the EIA A1 - Introduction PINS Reference Number: EN010007 Application Reference Number: 6.1.1 June 2018 Revision 1.0 Regulation Number: 5(2)(a) Planning Act 2008 Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 Horizon Internal DCRM Number: WN0902-JAC-PAC-CHT-00001 [This page is intentionally blank] Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ..................................................................................................... 1 The need for low carbon energy ...................................................................... 1 The role of Horizon .......................................................................................... 2 Consents required ........................................................................................... 2 Connection to the National Grid ....................................................................... 3 1.3 The Wylfa Newydd Project .............................................................................. 3 Wylfa Newydd DCO Project ............................................................................. 3 Enabling Works ................................................................................................ 5 Licensable Marine Activities ............................................................................ 6 1.4 Purpose and content of this Environmental Statement .................................... 6 1.5 Additional assessments to support the application for development consent 12 Welsh Language Impact Assessment ............................................................ 12 Health Impact Assessment ............................................................................ 13 Habitats Regulations Assessment ................................................................. 13 Equality Impact Assessment .......................................................................... 13 1.6 References .................................................................................................... 14 Page i [This page is intentionally blank] Page ii Wylfa Newydd Power Station Chapter A1 Introduction Development Consent Order 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This document is an Environmental Statement, which reports the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This Environmental Statement supports the following applications for the new nuclear power station, known as Wylfa Newydd: • the application for development consent for the Wylfa Newydd Development Consent Order (DCO) Project (as described in paragraph 1.3.1); and • the application for a Marine Licence for the Licensable Marine Activities (as described in paragraph 1.3.9). 1.1.2 In this Environmental Statement, the term Wylfa Newydd Project is used to refer to all the works and activities comprised in the Wylfa Newydd DCO Project (to be consented by the DCO) and the Licensable Marine Activities (to be consented by the Marine Licence). It does not for the purposes of this Environmental Statement include the A5025 On-line Highway Improvements (as described in paragraphs 1.2.5 to 1.2.7). 1.1.3 The Licensable Marine Activities comprise the Marine Works and the Deep Disposal. The Marine Works are also part of the Wylfa Newydd DCO Project but the Deep Disposal is not. Where the Environmental Statement also includes an assessment of the Deep Disposal (for the purposes of the Marine Licence) this is specifically noted in the relevant assessment chapters including D11 (cultural heritage) (Application Reference Number: 6.4.11), D12 (coastal processes and coastal geomorphology) (Application Reference Number: 6.4.12), D13 (the marine environment) (Application Reference Number: 6.4.13) and D15 (shipping and navigation) (Application Reference Number: 6.4.15). In addition, the Marine Signposting Report [RD1] accompanying the Marine Licence application identifies sections of this Environmental Statement which are relevant to the Marine Licence. 1.2 Background The need for low carbon energy 1.2.1 The UK Government is committed to meeting its legally binding target under the Climate Change Act 2008 to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. As a low carbon source of energy, nuclear power has an important role to play in the diversification and decarbonisation of electricity demand. Nuclear power can help address the challenge of maintaining secure energy supplies for the UK, whilst also tackling the global threat of climate change and meeting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Page A1–1 Wylfa Newydd Power Station Chapter A1 Introduction Development Consent Order The role of Horizon 1.2.2 Horizon Nuclear Power Wylfa Limited (Horizon) is a UK energy company developing a new generation of nuclear power stations to help meet the UK’s need for stable and sustainable low carbon energy. Horizon’s ultimate parent company is Hitachi Ltd., a Japanese corporation and the parent company of the multi-national Hitachi group of companies. Horizon is part of the Horizon Nuclear Power Limited group of companies and has premises in Gloucestershire and a site office on Anglesey. 1.2.3 Building on its core values of safety, courage, integrity, collaboration and inspiration, Horizon’s vision is as follows: “We believe there is a compelling requirement for new nuclear power in the UK to help tackle the vital and complex challenge of delivering a sustainable energy future. As part of this vision Horizon will deliver secure affordable, low carbon energy for present and future generations” [RD2]. 1.2.4 Land adjacent to the Existing Power Station at Wylfa Head, west of Cemaes on the north coast of Anglesey, is identified by the UK Government in the Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (NPS EN-1) [RD2] and National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation (EN-6) (NPS EN-6) [RD3] as potentially suitable for the construction of a new nuclear power station. Horizon proposes to construct and operate a new nuclear power station, known as Wylfa Newydd, on this land and adjacent land, referred to as the Wylfa Newydd Development Area (WNDA). The Power Station would have a nominal gross electrical capacity of 3GWe (3,000MWe), enough power for around five and half million homes. Consents required 1.2.5 Under section 15 of the Planning Act, generating stations that are located in Wales and have a capacity of more than 50MW are classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), and require an application for development consent to be made under that Act. The developer must apply for a DCO, which may be granted by the relevant Secretary of State. 1.2.6 The DCO process requires an EIA of the NSIP, the findings of which must be reported in an Environmental Statement. Chapter A5 (overarching environmental legislation, policy and guidance) of this Environmental Statement (Application Reference Number: 6.1.5) provides more information on the legislative requirements of relevance to this EIA. The scope of the EIA reported in this Environmental Statement has been informed by a Scoping Opinion provided by the Planning Inspectorate. The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (the ‘EIA Infrastructure Regulations 2017’), came into force on the 16th May of 2017. However, the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2009 (the ‘EIA Infrastructure Regulations 2009’) continue to apply to any application for development consent where the Secretary of State has been requested to adopt a Scoping Opinion (as defined in the 2009 Regulations) prior to this date. The Scoping Opinion was requested prior to the 16th of May 2017 and the Wylfa Newydd Project is therefore subject to the EIA Page A1–2 Wylfa Newydd Power Station Chapter A1 Introduction Development Consent Order Infrastructure Regulations 2009. Nevertheless, the EIA has been undertaken taking into account the additional provisions of the EIA Infrastructure Regulations 2017. Further information on the scoping process followed for the Project is presented in chapter A6 (EIA Scoping Report and Addendum) (Application Reference Number: 6.1.6). 1.2.7 Horizon will also require a Marine Licence. This Environmental Statement contains the EIA information required under The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 for the Marine Licence. The effects on the marine environment are reported in chapter D13 (Application Reference Number: 6.4.13) and in the cumulative effects assessments in volume I (cumulative effects) (Application Reference Numbers: 6.9.1 to 6.9.5). 1.2.8 The Project will also require environmental permits and regulatory licences, including a Nuclear Site Licence. Environmental information required for these licences and permits is also included in this Environmental Statement. Connection to the National Grid 1.2.9 The Wylfa Newydd Project requires development of complex infrastructure to connect the Power Station to the National Grid electricity transmission network. While the Wylfa Newydd Project includes works to deliver the electrical connection to the on-site National Grid sub-station, the connection from

Load more

  106

Copy Link